The Hindu : Sport / Badminton : Denmark prevails over Malaysia in a thriller

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, May 06, 2006

Sport

Sport - Badminton

Denmark prevails over Malaysia in a thriller

SENDAI (JAPAN): Denmark won a thrilling encounter against Malaysia, while holder China blanked Indonesia to make it to the final of the Thomas Cup badminton tournament here on Friday.

Denmark overcame a gritty Malaysia 3-2 in a match of fluctuating fortunes after the Chinese shuttlers had thrashed Indonesia, winning 3-0 without dropping a game.

Denmark's best bet Peter Gade gave the lead for his side with a hard-earned 21-19, 21-18 victory against Chong Wei Lee but the Malaysians drew level with Kien Keat Koo and Chong Ming Chan surviving a marathon second game to beat Martin Hansen Lundgaard and Jens Eriksen 21-17, 28-30, 21-6.

Denmark went ahead again through Kenneth Jonassen's 22-20, 12-21, 21-17 win over Muhd. Haziz Hashim but Malaysia clinched the second doubles to catch up with the Danes.

This time, it was the pair of Tan Fook Choong and Wan Wah Lee who prevailed over Mathias Boe and Cartsen Mogensen 21-13, 15-21, 21-19.

Persson, the hero

However, Joachim Persson held his nerve in the final match to beat Beng Hong Kuan 21-12, 21-19 and propel Denmark to the final.

In the other semifinal, China meant business right from the start and World No. 1 and reigning All England champion Lin Dan outplayed Olympic gold medallist Taufik Hidayat to make it 1-0.

The Indonesian and World No. 5 pair of Luluk Hadiyanto and Alven Yalianto stretched the Chinese duo of Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng in the first game but lost steam in the second to lose the match 24-22, 21-17.

Bao Chunlai then completed the rout, getting the better of Kuncoro Soni Dwi 21-17, 24-22.

The results:

China beat Indonesia 3-0 (Lin Dan bt Taufik Hidayat 21-16, 21-8; Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng bt Luluk Hadiyanto-Alven Yulianto 24-22, 21-17; Bao Chunlai bt Kuncoro Soni Dwi 21-17, 24-22).

Denmark beat Malaysia 3-2 (Peter Gade Christensen bt Chong Wei Lee 21-19, 21-18; Jens Eriksen-Martin Lundgaard Hansen lost to Chong Ming Chan-Kien Keat Koo 17-21, 30-28, 6-21; Kenneth Jonassen bt Muhd. Hafiz Hashim 20-22, 21-12, 21-17; Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen lost to Tan Fook Choong-Wan Wah Lee 13-21, 21-15, 19-21; Joachim Persson bt Beng Hong Kuan 21-12, 21-19). — UNI

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